The United States is significantly ramping up its quantum technology ambitions. President Donald Trump on Monday signed a pair of executive orders aimed at accelerating the development of advanced quantum computing systems while also preparing federal agencies for the cybersecurity risks that the technology could create in the coming years.

The move highlights growing concerns within Washington that the global race for quantum supremacy is entering a critical phase. Policymakers increasingly view quantum technology as a strategic asset that could reshape industries ranging from artificial intelligence and healthcare to national defense and cybersecurity. At the center of that competition is China, which has invested heavily in quantum research and remains one of America’s biggest rivals in the field.

According to White House officials, the administration believes a powerful research-focused quantum computer could become a reality within the next few years, potentially changing how scientists solve some of the world’s most difficult computational problems.

White House Targets Quantum Breakthrough by 2028

Speaking ahead of the announcement, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios said the administration believes significant progress can be achieved by 2028. While quantum computing remains in its early stages compared to traditional computing, governments and technology companies around the world are investing billions of dollars in the hope of unlocking its full potential.

Unlike conventional computers, which process information using bits that represent either a 0 or a 1, quantum computers rely on quantum mechanics to perform calculations in entirely different ways. This allows them to tackle certain complex tasks exponentially faster than even today’s most powerful supercomputers.

Researchers believe future quantum systems could accelerate scientific discoveries, improve artificial intelligence models, advance pharmaceutical development, and create breakthroughs in materials science. However, these same capabilities also introduce serious security concerns, particularly because sufficiently powerful quantum computers could eventually crack many of today’s encryption systems.

That possibility has become one of the primary motivations behind the administration’s latest actions.

New Cybersecurity Goals Aim to Prepare for Quantum Threats

One of the executive orders focuses heavily on protecting government systems from future quantum-enabled cyberattacks. The administration has established a target for migrating critical federal computing systems to post-quantum cryptography by 2030 or 2031.

Post-quantum cryptography refers to encryption methods specifically designed to resist attacks from future quantum computers. Security experts have warned for years that once large-scale quantum machines become available, many existing encryption standards used by governments, financial institutions, and businesses could become vulnerable.

The concern extends beyond future attacks. Cybersecurity analysts have repeatedly warned about “harvest now, decrypt later” strategies, where adversaries collect encrypted information today with the expectation that future quantum computers may eventually allow them to unlock it.

By beginning the transition early, U.S. officials hope to reduce long-term risks and strengthen national cyber defenses before quantum threats become practical realities.

Pentagon Also Gets New Quantum Mission

The executive orders go beyond computing and cybersecurity. The administration has also directed the Department of Defense to accelerate the deployment of quantum sensing technologies, with a goal of fielding certain capabilities by 2028.

Quantum sensors are considered one of the most promising near-term applications of quantum science. Unlike quantum computers, which remain highly experimental, many sensing technologies are already showing practical potential. These systems can measure extremely small changes in gravity, magnetic fields, and motion with remarkable precision.

Military planners see significant value in such capabilities. Quantum sensors could help aircraft and military vehicles navigate in environments where GPS signals have been jammed or disrupted. When deployed on satellites, the technology could potentially detect underground structures, tunnels, or missile facilities from space by identifying subtle environmental changes.

Industry leaders attending the signing ceremony expressed confidence that these timelines are achievable. Many experts believe quantum sensing could deliver meaningful operational benefits years before fully fault-tolerant quantum computers become available.

Why the U.S.-China Quantum Race Matters

The latest executive orders also underscore growing geopolitical concerns surrounding quantum technology. American officials increasingly view quantum leadership as a matter of economic competitiveness and national security. The administration says it plans to strengthen international cooperation on intellectual property protections and supply chain security to prevent strategic technologies from falling into the hands of rivals.

The U.S. government has already begun backing the industry financially. Last month, the Commerce Department announced plans to take approximately $2 billion in equity stakes across several quantum computing companies, including a new venture involving IBM. The investment reflects Washington’s belief that maintaining leadership in quantum technologies could provide long-term advantages across multiple sectors.

In addition to computing and sensing initiatives, federal agencies have been instructed to develop plans for deploying quantum-enabled networks and sensor systems over the next five years. Those efforts are expected to support both civilian and defense applications as the technology matures.

While practical large-scale quantum computing remains a work in progress, the race to develop it is accelerating rapidly. The White House’s latest actions signal that the United States intends to remain at the forefront of that competition, betting that quantum technology could become one of the most transformative innovations of the coming decade.